By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 1 October 2006

FAMILIES of Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo Bay have reacted with dismay after a law was passed in the US, which will ban inmates from contesting their detention on US soil.

The law, approved by the US Senate on Thursday and currently awaiting ratification by US President George Bush, has already drawn criticism from international human rights bodies.

United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on torture Manfred Nowak has criticised the law for preventing detainees from contesting their imprisonment in court and for failing to adequately outlaw extreme interrogation tactics.

Khaleej Times

1 October 2006

MANAMA — Dr Salah Al Bandar, a British national of Sudanese origin who was deported from Bahrain earlier last month on charges of sedition with intentions of disturbing national unity and undermining the election process, is to address later this week an audience at the UK’s House of Lords, explaining his side of story.

According to a local daily, Bahrain Tribune, Al Bandar has the backing of Lord Avebury, vice-chairman of the UK’s Parliamentary Human Rights Group, who has in the past played a questionable role in trying to undermine the image of the kingdom. Consequently, the two have much in common.

BAHRAIN: PERSISTENCE TO THE USE OF FORCE TO BAN FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

http://www.haaq.org/en-US/42/ViewNews/37/116/Default.aspx

For three weeks in a row, the Bahraini Authorities have extensively deployed its Special Security Forces (SSF) to ban public from exercising its rights for freedom of expression. The SSF have been used to enforce or prevent violation of Code 32 of 2006 concerning "Public Gatherings, Processions and Assembly" [1] which is an amendment of Decree no 18 of 1973 [2]. Local civic societies [3] as well as internationally renowned organizations [4], showed deep concerns over the implementation of this law which extradites all forms of expression and protest in violation to Universal Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Less than a month after he was deported from Bahrain, Salah Al Bandar is to address an audience at the UK’s House of Lords. Obviously, he has found a kindred spirit in Lord Avebury, vice-chairman of the UK’s Parliamentary Human Rights Group.
In many circles Lord Avebury is seen as a person who has in the past played a questionable role in trying to undermine the image of Bahrain. Consequently, the two have much in common.
Short of that the Al Bandar saga has failed to capture the interest of the English media and there is scarcely any mention even in the tabloid press of his proclamations that he was called a ‘British spy.’ On the contrary, the man’s presence in the UK has been ignored.

Burning their boats, losing sight of the issues
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Contributor

A rally held by political societies near Bahrain Mall on the issue of naturalisation turned violent yesterday. Demonstrators had arrived in buses and cars and began to assemble near the mall. By noon a number of people had gathered. Many of them carried banner and placards calling for a stop to naturalisation.
The police had set up barricades to prevent them from approaching the road near Dana mall. Police Jeeps were stationed on the flyover to control the situation. But the rally turned violent when some of the protesters started to throw stones at the police. The latter had to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd and one man collapsed due to suffocation. Protesters also damaged a police motorcycle and burned a wooden boat placed as a showpiece under the flyover in Seef. The police immediately extinguished the fire though by that time the fire brigade too had arrived on the scene.The head of the rally’s organising committee, Saeed Al Majid, said the Ministry of Interior had informed him that they would be changing the rally route as it would affect the traffic movement.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 30th September 2006

A DEMONSTRATION against political naturalisation yesterday was described as "ironic" by organisers. As thousands of Bahrainis held the protest in Sanabis, organisers described how hundreds of naturalised Bahrainis in full riot gear stood by. But other than the demonstration ending half an hour earlier than intended, everything went smoothly and as planned, said National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) general secretary Ebrahim Sharif.

"It was a very peaceful demonstration," he told the GDN.

"The only thing we did not understand was why we were asked to change our route by the Interior Ministry."

MANAMA (AFP) - Several thousand people demonstrated in Manama denouncing what they said were government attempts to rig upcoming elections in favour of the ruling Sunni minority by naturalizing foreigners.

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The demonstration, which came barely two months before landmark elections, was attended by 10,000 people according to the organisers, who fired tear gas during the largely peaceful event. The police estimate was 4,000 protestors.

"Naturalizations have recently hit a new high, in particular for Asians, and the objective can only be to influence the results of the upcoming elections," Ibrahim Sherif of the Association of National Democratic Action told the crowd.

Friday 29 September 2006

MANAMA, (Reuters) - Several hundred Bahrainis marched on Friday against what they said was the mass naturalisation of foreigners, saying it would swing November elections in favour of the government and rob them of jobs.
Riot police closed off the upmarket Seef area of the capital Manama where protesters chanted "No to political naturalisation" and "There are no jobs for Bahrainis but foreigners are all employed." A police helicopter whirled overhead.
"The government is naturalising (foreigners), and these people are now calling themselves Bahrainis. Of course they are going to vote for the government," one demonstrator said.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 29 September 2006

A LAW was expected to be passed by the US Senate yesterday that would mean three Bahrainis at Guantanamo Bay cannot challenge their detention in American courts.

The bill, which has already been passed by the US House of Representatives, will take effect once ratified by US President George Bush.

More than two years ago, a US Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for Guantanamo Bay detainees to contest the legality of their imprisonment on US soil.

If passed, the new legislation overrides that decision and could leave the three Bahrainis, along with hundreds of others, stranded at the maximum-security facility, in Cuba, without the right to a trial in the US.

Published: 29 September 2006

POLITICAL and community leaders will announce today what action they are seeking over the Bandargate report, following a mass meeting last night.

Independent activists, political society members, MPs and municipal councillors called at the meeting for the resignation of a senior government official accused of financing the alleged secret organisation which the report claims has been at work.

Investigation

Some also urged a "rejection" of elections results if the official, who is directly involved in organising elections, is not removed.

Government officials implicated in the report should be detached from their involvement in the upcoming elections pending an investigation into the accusations against them, individuals urged.

Bahrain: Human Rights Associations plays Suspicious Roles in Handling National Issues

Falsifying GCDD Report

Smearing Political and Human Rights Activists' Reputation

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) was alerted by the report issued by Gulf Center for Democracy Development (GCDD)[1], which included the names of the human rights associations practicing suspicious roles in handling some national issues.

Human Rights associations and the suspicious role:

The report issued by Gulf Center for Democracy Development mentioned that some human rights associations; registered at the Ministry of Social Development play suspicious roles through pushing some issues to work for the favor of governmental authorities. The report clarified that these associations receives money for doing this. The report is enhanced with official documents including without limitation to bank checks signed by the directors of the above mentioned associations. Some daily newspapers published parts of the report showing the conspiracy between these associations and government officials with the purpose to achieve the governmental goals which harm the interests of the citizens and the country. One of the human rights associations mentioned in the report issued a press release offending Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and Bahrain Center for Human Rights.

Scores of maids flee from their employers after what seems like a sleepover at their sponsor’s home seeking refuge at the OWWA shelter.
But Filipina household worker Leah Rea never had the luxury of taking a day off from chores in the last three years. She has been at the OWWA shelter for almost five months sitting and waiting for her sponsor to give her due.
She arrived in Bahrain almost three years ago to work for the Bahraini sponsor as a housemaid. Delayed and partially paid wages that included physical and verbal abuse took its toll when her sponsor’s son allegedly sexually molested her.

Palanichami’s sponsor promises financial help to family
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Contributor

The sponsor of Palanichami, Abdul Redha, has agreed to financially help the family and also make arrangements to send his body to India in a couple of days.
When asked as to how much he intended to pay, he said that whatever was due and some more would be paid.
Palanichami had been earlier working with a company for five years and had recently shifted to his new job.
The public prosecutor had earlier said that the case was being treated as one of suicide. This was substantiated by the autopsy report, which ruled out murder and called it a clear case of suicide.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 28th September 2006

THE Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) has pledged to take care of a 10-year-old boy who is stranded in Bahrain without his parents. Raja Thanee Prasad, who was abandoned by his Sri Lankan mother when he was two, was left to fend for himself when his Indian father was deported six weeks ago. He was born out of wedlock and was never officially registered, meaning he had no identity papers and was not allowed to leave the country.

An Indian friend of his father, Abdul Razzaq, 42, is currently taking care of the boy in Manama, but does not have the means to look after him.

By Sara Sami
Published: 28th September 2006

A POLICE photograph of a man found hanging in a village ma'atam shows his body with his hands and feet bound. But there is no evidence that 28-year-old painter C Palanichami was the victim of foul play, Public Prosecutor Mamdooh Al Moawda reiterated yesterday. He said police had ruled Mr Palanichami's death a suicide, because there was no evidence of a struggle or any other injuries.

Mr Al Moawda showed the GDN a picture of the Indian painter and carpenter's body hanging from a door frame on the second floor of a ma'atam in Al Qariya, near Budaiya, where it was found around 2.30pm on Monday.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 28th September 2006

THE man behind the Bandargate report was deported from Bahrain after being accused of spying for another country and plotting a coup, it was alleged yesterday. But Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar was not formally charged, despite the fact that such a serious crime carries the death penalty, says his Bahraini lawyer. Dr Al Bander is filing a court case by proxy in Bahrain, against his dismissal from the Cabinet Affairs Ministry and subsequent deportation.

Lawyer Abdulla Al Shamlawi has been given power of attorney to file the case on Dr Al Bandar's behalf and will put the case before the Administrative Court.

Last group released

Young men go home

The Higher Court has released the last group of people jailed for taking part in a rally.
They had taken part in the illegal rally on May 28 in Bani Jamra and damaged public property. The five accused appeared in court. According to the Public Prosecutor, they were the masked rioters whose pictures were published in the local newspapers. The Public Prosecutor accused the five of illegal gathering in a public place with the intention of rioting and disturbing the peace, as well as refusing police orders to disperse and damaging police cars. The rally was held in support of those who were jailed for holding an illegal rally at the Bahraini International Airport which followed when they heard that Sheikh Mohammed Sanad, a religious scholar, was detained upon arrival. Nada Al Abbas

Runaway told it’s futile to pursue the case
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor

A Filipina housemaid has been allegedly raped by the person who had helped her run away from her sponsor and recruiter.
G. C. (name withheld), who worked for a Bahraini sponsor for a few months, asked the household to send her back to the agency, claiming that she had been physically abused and forced to work longer than the normal working hours.
“I was made to work almost 24 hours a day, often left with nothing to eat. I couldn’t bear it any longer. I was treated like a slave in that household, not a human being,” Gina told the Tribune yesterday.

By SARA SAMI and BEGENA GEORGE

POLICE are treating the death of an Indian man found hanging in a village ma'atam as suicide, it was revealed yesterday.

But workmates insisted that 28-year-old painter C Palanichami was found with his hands and feet bound.

He had a family back home he doted on and would never kill himself, said colleagues at Aman Carpentry, in Sanad.

But police had ruled out foul play, since there was no evidence of anyone else being involved and no injury marks on Mr Palanichami's body, said Public Prosecutor Mamdooh Al Moawda.

He said the CID had assured the Public Prosecution that the death was suicide.

By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 27 September 2006

BAHRAINI Guantanamo Bay detainee Juma Al Dossary holds the US military responsible for denying his father's dying wish - to be reunited with the son he had not seen for five years.

Juma Al Dossary spoke with his lawyer about the short visit from US military psychiatrists and a "cultural advisor", during which he was informed of his father's death.

"Juma told me that he could not describe the feelings he had in words," said lawyer Joshua Colangelo-Bryan.

"While hearing news about the death of a family member is difficult under any circumstances, it may be impossible to understand how difficult it is to hear such news when one is thousands of miles from home and being held indefinitely."

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 27 September 2006

A SECRET organisation's operation to influence the outcome of Bahrain's parliamentary elections was just the beginning of a five-year subterfuge, says the co-author of the Bandargate report.

Its long-term aim is to control Bahrain's political, economic and social fabric to suit its own purposes, says deported government consultant Dr Salah Al Bandar.

The elections are just part of the secret organisation's "five-year plan", being run by misusing the Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) and its facilities, said the Briton, who is married to a Bahraini.

MPs call for Al Bandar probe
By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 27 September 2006

MEMBERS of human rights organisations, political societies and MPs are to meet tomorrow, to decide what action to demand over the Bandargate report.

They will hold a "national gathering" at the National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) premises tomorrow night.

MPs and civil societies yesterday called for an official investigation by an independent commission into the Bandargate allegations.

The allegations were made in a report allegedly compiled by activists at the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), after a six-month investigation.

PROBE CALL
By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 27 September 2006

MANAMA: A call went out yesterday for an independent inquiry into the Bandargate report - and the man behind it. Members of human rights organisations, political societies and MPs are to meet tomorrow, to decide what action to demand over the report.

They will hold a "national gathering" at the National Democratic Action Society premises on Thursday night.

Representatives from the Haq movement, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ed), Islamic Action (Amal) Society and the Constitutional Conference and a number of MPs are spearheading the gathering, which is expected to develop into a broader movement working for action over the report.

‘It is the Kingdom’s internal matter’
Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent

Doubts over self-proclaimed rights activist Salah Al Bandar’s mountain of evidence deepened yesterday when the American, British and German embassies in Bahrain responded to the Tribune’s questions with different answers.
It may be recalled that Al Bandar had stated he had dispatched copies of his ‘evidence’ to three embassies, complete with documents of proof of whatever his accusations were. When the Tribune asked officials yesterday at the US embassy if they had received such a document, they replied with an official statement that they did not wish to comment on the matter in any fashion whatsoever. The German Embassy Press attaché Thomas Korke categorically denied that the Germans had received such a document or even a summary of the same. He said the German Embassy wanted it on record that they were not recipients of any such document.

By Eunice del Rosario
Published: 26th September 2006

EXPATRIATE workers have every right to know exactly how much they are going to earn in Bahrain per month before leaving their countries, says a top labour official. Labour disputes would be reduced if workers were fully aware of what to expect once they are in the country, said Labour Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

He was speaking during a meeting held at the ministry, in Isa Town, with ambassadors and officials from the Indian, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Thai Embassies.

The closed-door meeting on Sunday was the follow up to the meeting held on September 14 at the ministry between ministry labour relations director Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa and officials from the five embassies, including that from the Indonesian Embassy.

Marriage offer for rape victim
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 26th September 2006

A BAHRAINI man reportedly yesterday declared his love and proposed marriage to a Filipina housemaid, who claimed he repeatedly raped her over the last six weeks. A Philippine Embassy spokesman said the marriage proposal came two days after Marilen Gempesaw ran away from her employer's flat in Muharraq, claiming she was raped up to seven times by the man.

But when the 35-year-old maid refused his proposal, he agreed to hand back her passport, provide her air ticket back to Davao, southern Philippines, and give her BD60 for "compensation".

By SOMAN BABY
Published: 26th September 2006

WORKERS embroiled in a dispute with their company following the deaths of 16 colleagues in a labour camp blaze have still not been fully paid, it was revealed yesterday. Now the Labour Ministry is to set up a working group to tackle outstanding issues with Royal Tower Construction (RTC).

About 200 workers have resumed work after a gap of a month, even though the company has yet to implement the terms it had earlier agreed with the Labour Ministry.

Sixteen workers employed by RTC died when their labour camp in Gudaibiya was gutted by fire on July 30.

By BEGENA GEORGE and VINITHA VISWANATH
Published: 26th September 2006

MANAMA: A worker was found hanging, with his legs bound, in a ma'atam in Al Qariya, near Budaiya, yesterday, according to sources. Indian C Palanichami, 28, was found at around 12.30pm on the second floor, when his foreman went to check on him after being alerted by his colleagues, said sources.

The body had injury marks, the sources added.

They said Mr Palanichami, from Maavatam district of Tamil Nadu, came to Bahrain four months ago and had been working as a painter and carpenter at the Aman Carpentry Workshop, Sanad. He worked from 6am to 6pm.

Briton denies being a spy, describes plot to rig upcoming elections in Bahrain
The Associated Press

Published: September 24, 2006

CAIRO, Egypt A British citizen of Sudanese origin who was expelled from Bahrain last week denied being a spy and said in remarks published Sunday that he was punished for exposing a government plot to rig upcoming elections.

Salah al-Bandar told the independent daily Al-Wasat that he had exposed a "secret network operating within the government to deprive an essential part of the population of this country of their rights." He said the target was Bahrain's majority Shiite Muslims.

and Drive towards the Clash of Civilizations

Press release

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) has delivered today to the Ambassador of the Vatican in Cairo, a message addressed to His Holiness Father Benedict XVI, Pope of the Catholic Church and Head of the Vatican City State, signed by 38 Human Rights NGOs in the Arab world.

Below is the message and signatories:

A Message from 38 Human Rights NGOs in the Arab World

to the Pope of the Vatican in Reference to His Speech Made on the Fifth Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

Your Holiness Father Benedict XVI,

Al Bandar speaks out
Spy or ‘scholar’?

Saleh Al Bandar clearly has opted for the sanctuary of numbers because right through our conversation one thread is constant: “I did not act on my own, I acted only in my capacity as the Secretary General of the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development, not in my personal capacity.”
He repeats this sentiment again and again. He expresses regret over only one aspect: having to leave his wife and his home in a swank residential location in Bahrain. Obviously, he never thought he would be deported and he is still wrestling with that development.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 25 September 2006

PHILIPPINE Embassy officials have launched an investigation after a housemaid claimed she was advised by a recruitment agency in the Philippines to jump from a building or take excessive painkillers to have a miscarriage.

Fe Lastimosa Saludar, aged 33, says she miscarried her four-month-old foetus after falling down the stairs at her Bahraini employer's home, in Riffa, last month.

However, medical examiners in the Philippines and Bahrain allegedly failed to detect the pregnancy.

She told the GDN that she was not aware that she was already a month pregnant with her fourth child when she arrived in Bahrain in May this year.

Published: 25 September 2006

A "BOGUS" version of the Bandargate report is reportedly being circulated by an anonymous sender, allegedly as part of a "dirty tricks" campaign to discredit the original.

The original report, compiled by Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar and a team of investigators at the Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), alleges that a secret organisation has been working to influence the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

But the allegedly bogus version carries photographs of three well-known opposition candidates, accusing them of receiving illicit payments.

Published: 25 September 2006

NEGOTIATIONS are underway between a Bahraini man and his former Filipina housemaid, who claims that he repeatedly raped her over a period of six weeks.

A medical test is due to be carried out soon to determine whether Marilen Gempesaw, aged 35, is pregnant with the man's child.

Ms Gempesaw ran away from her employer on Saturday at about 6am by jumping out of his flat's second floor window, in Muharraq, as he and his 12-year-old son slept.

She said that she feared for her life after her employer threatened to "stab me in the stomach" if she ever got pregnant.

By SARA SAMI
Published: 25 September 2006

AN ASIAN housemaid was arrested after her sponsor's wife found birth control pills in her bedroom.

"When she was confronted about the pills, the housemaid admitted to having an affair with an Asian worker she had met," said a Public Prosecution spokesman.

"The sponsor reported her to the police and when they questioned her, she confessed that she had met the worker when she was taking the garbage out.

"They kept talking on the phone after they met and she had invited him a couple of times to the house when the family was not around."

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 25 September 2006

EIGHTEEN prisoners were released from custody yesterday after receiving a royal pardon from His Majesty King Hamad.

All of those freed had been held in connection with the Dana Mall riots in Sanabis, in March, said human rights activist Nabeel Rajab.

He said 15 of the prisoners were released from the Dry Dock police station in Muharraq, two from Umm Al Hassan and the other from the CID headquarters in Adliya.

Supporters and relatives were set to gather at the dry dock police station in Hidd in wait for their loved ones release at 4pm, but the prisoners were let out in a low-key procedure at around 2.30pm, said Mr Rajab, vice-president of the now defunct Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

Following the barrage of publicity in the Salah Al Bandar case over the past two days the furore cooled a little yesterday as the couple went off the radar. Efforts to contact the man who has been accused of engaging in what can be best called suspicious activities relating to the subversion of the forthcoming elections failed and all one got was a voice message from his Cambridgeshire home in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, his wife Layla who lives in Bahrain was also not answering her phones and the mobile was being received by a lady who identified herself as ‘a friend

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 24th September 2006

EIGHT workers, including a housemaid who claimed to have been repeatedly raped by her employer, were taken in at the Philippine Embassy's shelter, Zinj, yesterday - the first day of Ramadan. It takes the number of Filipinos seeking refuge at the shelter to 60.

The workers included four restaurant staff and housemaids, who claimed that their employers - whose nationalities included Bahrainis and an Egyptian - made them work up to 14 or even 18 hours a day.

Marilen Gempesaw, 35, told the GDN that her employer repeatedly raped her since he took her in, on August 12.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 24th September 2006

A BAHRAINI woman in her late 20s is recovering from injuries she sustained after being caught in a stampeding crowd being dispersed by police at a planned public seminar in Bilad Al Qadeem.

Police dispersed thousands of people who were attending the event organised by Al Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy on Friday evening after authorities declared the event illegal because no permission had been granted.

The woman, Nuzha Sayed Ahmed, was apparently on her way to a nearby cold store and was trampled by the crowd as they were being dispersed.

BANDARGATE!
Published: 24th September 2006

Bahrain is alive with speculation, following the deportation of a British man working as an adviser to the government, after the circulation of an unofficial report alleging malpractice in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. Here the GDN publishes for the first time, some of the allegations made in the report.

A "secret organisation", headed by a senior government official, has been working to influence the outcome of the parliamentary election later this year, it is alleged in a report by activists.

The man behind the report is Briton Dr Salah Al Bandar, who had been working as a strategic planning adviser to the Cabinet Affairs Ministry since October last year.

Published: 24th September 2006

BAHRAIN joins other countries on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council tomorrow to try to establish a system for reviewing each state's fulfilment of its human rights obligations.

The UN Human Rights Council, which began its second session in Geneva last week, is mandated to carry out a "universal periodic review" of all countries.

The establishment of universal periodic reviews for all countries was a key institutional reform for the UN, which previously came under fire for "double standards" in reviewing countries.

"The council should address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon," according to UN resolution 1503. It also calls on states to "contribute, through dialogue and co-operation, towards the prevention of human rights violations and respond promptly to human rights emergencies". Current work at the council aims at establishing the foundations for how it will function in years to come, Bahrain's Ambassador to the UN in Geneva and member of the Bahrain delegation to the council Abdullatif Abdulla told the GDN.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 23 September 2006

MANAMA: Four Bahrainis, including a 30-year-old allegedly hit by a rubber bullet, were injured during rioting in Bilad Al Qadeem and Khamis last night.

Several youngsters burned tyres and garbage bins, and blocked traffic after police stopped Al Haq movement from holding a seminar on Bahrain's reforms.

More than 100 clashed with police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the demonstration.

Riot police sealed off the area and reinforcements were called in.

The rioting, witnesses said, hit several businesses.

The injured man was admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 23 September 2006

ASIAN embassies in Bahrain will be on standby this Ramadan as officials anticipate an influx of housemaids running away from abusive sponsors.

The Indonesian, Philippines and Thai Embassies, as well as leaders from the Ethiopian and Indian communities, are calling on employers to treat their maids fairly throughout the holy month.

They are concerned by a growing trend of more and more housemaids running away during Ramadan - complaining that they are overworked, forced to fast despite not being Muslims and required to stay up late to prepare meals for the families they work for.

Suicide bid worker is fed for the first time
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 22 September 2006

A man who slit his own throat with a carpet knife last weekend was yesterday fed for the first time since his suicide bid.

Rukmaya Tombaya Moolya was given a special liquid feed through a tube inserted into his nose at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

"He even sat up, took a few steps and sat on the sofa next to his bed," said one doctor, who asked to remain anonymous.

"We are extremely encouraged with his progress.

"We realised he had not had any food for the last six days and that is why took a decision to feed him. He has taken it very well."

Published: 21 September 2006

MANAMA: A British man working as a consultant for the Bahrain government has been deported, after circulating literature alleging irregularities in the run-up to parliamentary elections later this year.

Dr Salah Al Bander, who is also secretary-general of the non-government Gulf Centre for Democratic Development (GCDD), was put on a plane for London, leaving his Bahraini wife.

He was arrested by police at his GCDD office in Seef last Wednesday and questioned by a Public Prosecutor for two hours.

His Bahraini wife of 16 years, GCDD president and National Liberal Thought Society president Layla Rajab, said the police also took her laptop, computer, CDs, papers, invoices and various personal items from their East Riffa home.

MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad last night issued a decree pardoning those convicted of taking part in illegal rallies and demonstrations. Several others involved in security and other cases were also included in the royal pardon. The Interior Ministry will now take measures to implement the decree.

By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
Published: 21 September 2006

POLITICAL societies who met His Majesty King Hamad yesterday called for amendments to constituencies based on population and further powers for parliament.

National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) secretary-general Ibrahim Shareef, who attended the meeting, said His Majesty had promised to refer both issues to the new National Assembly for discussion.

"We have a constituency with 500 people, while another has 13,000, which obviously shows that the distribution of votes is not equal," he said.

"Election boundaries have been worrying us a lot and hopefully they would be redrawn to ensure fair distribution and proper representation."

By kanwal tariq hameed

HUMAN rights activists in Bahrain have launched appeals calling for the immediate deployment of United Nations (UN) troops in the violence-stricken region of Darfur, Sudan, where an estimated 200,000 people have died and more than two million been displaced.

Reports of indiscriminate attacks, as well as the rape and slaughter of civilian women and children, have been issued by human rights workers in Darfur, despite the deployment of 7,000 African Union peacekeeping troops.

A Darfur Peace Agreement was signed on May 5 this year between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) - one of the three main rebel factions.

By kanwal tariq hameed
Published: 20 September 2006

BAHRAINI detainees at Guantanamo Bay could lose the right to a US court hearing if a law currently being debated in the US Congress is passed, their lawyers said yesterday.

More than two years ago, a US Supreme Court ruling made way for Bahrainis Salah Al Blooshi, Isa Al Murbati, and Juma Al Dossary to challenge the legality of their detention in a US court.

The three have been imprisoned without trial for almost five years after being captured fleeing Afghanistan as it came under bombing from US and coalition troops in 2001.

Now, legislation being debated by the US Congress could override that decision and leave them stranded at the maximum-security facility without the right to a trial in US courts if it is passed.

Bahrain: Assembly Law and its dirty utilization against peaceful activities

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights monitored the prevention of a political seminar entitled "Nation's Petition: Stance and Results" which was supposed to be held on 15 September 2006 in the village of Alsenabs. Few hours before the beginning of the seminar, Security forces besieged the area and the executives of the seminar with a large number of anti-riot men. Also, some personnel of the neighborhood wherein the seminar was to be held were arraigned to eliminate it. They were also obliged to sign a commission not to hold the seminar. However, neighborhood officials refused to do so.

Bid to enhance transparency
Suad Hamada
Staff Reporter

The Bahrain Human Rights Society has sought government permission to visit the women’s prison.
Human rights activist Abdullah Al Derazi told the Women Gateway that the society had requested the Ministry of Interior twice for the visit, and been waiting for a reply.
Referring to the visit to the prison by the Supreme Council for Women as part of a study on Bahraini women for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Al Derazi said: “We appreciate the SCW’s initiative to empower women. But it is part of the executive authority and cannot be neutral in evaluating the living conditions of the prison which is run by the government.”

Filipino catches flight with honour intact
Ayla Marisse G. Ginete
Contributor

Patricio Mata, the alleged escapee from Ibn Sina Medical Company, has been declared a free man, ridding him of his runaway charges.
He left the country last night, with his name cleared and with his claim honoured for three months’ salary from ISMC. Friend and colleague, Bong Pineda, is relieved about the quick resolution of the case.
“I thought he may be held back for a month or two but now all is fine.”
“Initially, we thought ISMC would not budge, denying Patricio ever coming to work. He got his justice and was able to go home with his salary and honour intact,” he said.

By Rebecca Torr
Published: 19th September 2006

THIRTY Bahraini women have signed a petition that urgently calls for a family law to be passed, to end what they call injustice in the Sharia courts. The women, who are all victims of abuse, presented the appeal to the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, which is backing the cause.

They are also collecting signatures from other victims of abuse who claim they have been unfairly treated in the courts.

Centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon said a family law must be passed and implemented urgently, because hundreds of people, especially women and children, were suffering.

By Mandeep Singh
Published: 19th September 2006

A MAN who survived after apparently slitting his own throat may actually have been attacked. It would be almost impossible for someone to inflict such a serious injury on themselves, doctors at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) said yesterday.

Indian Rukmaya Tombaya Moolya's throat was cut so deep the trachea and gullet were severed.

The 35-year-old bachelor was found lying in a pool of blood with his throat cut and a knife in his hand, in a lavatory in a building in Tubli, at about 9.30am on Saturday.

"Though we have the police version that it was a suicide attempt and we are not able to question that, the reality is that it is very unlikely that any man could inflict himself with such a wound," said consultant vascular surgeon Dr Sadiq Abdullah.

Abuse, illtreatment, non-payment of wages are their main grievances
Ayla Marisse G Ginete
Contributor

An average of 50 Filipina domestic workers every month approach the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Bahrain with complaints of abuse, illtreatment and wage delays.
The welfare of thousands of Filipino domestic workers in the Middle East is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with adequate measures, according to the labour attache at the embassy, Alejandro Santos.
“The problems of domestic workers exist in over a dozen countries in the region. Bahrain is no exception. All labour and OWWA posts in the receive increasing number of cases of rape, physical assault, non-payment of salary, illtreatment or unfair treatment,” Santos told the Tribune yesterday.

The timely intervention of a Bahraini saved the life of an Indian man who had reportedly tried to commit suicide. The man’s cut windpipe saved his life, medics told the Tribune yesterday.
Rughumaya Molya, aged 38 years, had slit his throat in the common bathroom of a three-storey building in Tubli on Saturday.
The Bahraini who owns a shop in the building premises found the man in a pool of blood and immediately called 999. When the medics arrived at the scene they found the man was still alive and rushed him to the emergency department of the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
“He had cut his throat severely but survived because the cut had pierced the windpipe; this inadvertently allowed him to breathe and also prolonged his life. He was brought to the hospital in the nick of time. We have operated and closed the wound. He is in a stable condition,” said a hospital official.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 18 September 2006

PARENTS and teachers should watch and listen for signals from their children that they may be being abused, say child protection workers.

Victims may be afraid or unable to tell their parents or teachers directly what is happening to them, says Be Free Anti-Child Abuse and Neglect Centre training programme co-ordinator Fatima Frutan.

Parents and teachers play an important role in protecting children from becoming victims of abuse, or putting an end to it.

Many children will look for a way to let their parents or teachers know that they are being abused - and parents in particular must listen carefully for such hints, said Ms Frutan.

Published: 18 September 2006

ABOUT 30 female victims of abuse attended a workshop to help boost their self-esteem at the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases, on the Budaiya Road last night.

Participants in the Strengthening Women's Self-Esteem workshop were given information to help them recognise the warning signs of violence and protect themselves from abuse.

They are also taught strategies for resisting violence and given training in relaxation techniques and hypnotherapy.

The free course, under the patronage of the Supreme Council for Women, is conducted by centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon and counsellor Kadra Ahmed, from 5pm to 7pm until tomorrow. To contact the centre call 17597777.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 18 September 2006

THE Bahrain Women's Union is planning to step up its programmes now that its nine-member board has been elected after six years of struggle to get it officially recognised by the government.

Founding member Fatima Rabea said that although it was a long ride, she was glad that the union was established the way that the members wanted it to be.

"Now we will work hard to make up for the lost time, although we have launched some programmes informally, including our political empowerment programme, personal status law campaign, our anti-violence drive against women activities and our campaign to make the government recognise the children of Bahraini women married to foreigners as Bahraini nationals.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 18 September 2006

MORE manpower agencies have reportedly been blacklisted by the Philippines Embassy, sparking complaints from recruiters who claim the practice is illegal.

Over 50 Bahrain recruitment firms and individual employers are now understood to have been placed on the embassy's blacklist, which means the embassy will not process contracts for Filipino workers on their behalf.

Earlier this month the Indian Embassy said it had blacklisted a total of 49 Bahraini firms for allegedly cheating their workers.

However, Bahrain Recruiters Society (BRS) president Ali Alshoala claimed the blacklisting of manpower agencies, companies and individual employers went against Bahrain's Labour Law.

Complaints involving Indians in Bahrain rising

Indo-Asian News Service

Dubai, September 17, 2006

Sep 9: Dues denied to Indian workers of Bahrain firm »
Aug 11: Indian workers on strike in Bahrain »

Kerala Assembly deputy speaker John Baby has expressed concern over the increasing number of complaints involving Indian workers in Bahrain.

Baby, who ended his Bahrain visit on Saturday, said better coordination between Bahrain and India was required to eliminate such complaints, reports the Gulf Daily News.

"The number of labour issues being reported are increasing, which is definitely not a good sign for relations between Bahrain and India," he said.

HAQ: Movement of Liberties and Democracy-Bahrain

Special Forces Enforcing Law to Ban Public Gatherings in BAHRAIN

17th September 2006

On July 20th, 2006, Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khlafa- Bahraini Head of the State- ratified Code 32 of 2006 concerning "Public Gatherings, Processions and Assembly" [1] which is an amendments of Decree no 18 of 1973 [2]. Local public and civic societies [3] as well as international renown organizations, like Human Rights Watch [4], Amnesty International [5], Article 19 [6] and International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) [7]. They expressed deep concerns over the implementation of this law which meant to exercise utter silence on the freedom of expression, association and protest in Bahrain. It has been envisaged that the implementation of such law will create the environment for destabilization of the social tranquillity and work of civic establishments.

Rising abuse cases 'a cause for concern'
By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 17 September 2001

A VISITING Indian MP yesterday rapped the increasing number of labour complaints reported in Bahrain.

Kerala Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Jose Baby said further efforts were required for co-ordination between Bahrain and India to eliminate such cases.

He, however, said that Bahrain was the best among other GCC countries in regards of dealing with expatriate workers.

"Compared to the other Gulf countries, Bahrain must undoubtedly be appreciated for treating its expatriate population with better respect," said Mr Baby to the GDN.

... But Juma’s health deteriorating
By Meera Ravi
Staff Correspondent

Lawyer Joshua Colangelo Bryan whose firm represents the three Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo Bay yesterday issued a strongly-worded denial of rumours in the Saudi media that Juma Al Dossary had contracted HIV.
“I wish to emphasise that earlier reports in the Saudi media that Juma had contracted HIV are utterly and completely false. I was horrified to learn that anyone would even suggest such an idea,” he said.
However, he expressed concern for Juma’s health and said military doctors had told him that he is anaemic and was suffering from very low blood pressure. Because of his stomach problems for which he receives antibiotics, Juma generally eats only bread and cheese. In fact, he reports that although he weighed 85 kg when he arrived at Guantanamo, he now weighs about 65kg, having lost five kg recently.

UN is urged to bolster democracy
By kanwal TARIQ hameed
Published: 17 September 2001

A BAHRAIN human rights group has joined a national campaign calling on the United Nations Democracy Caucus to act "urgently" to strengthen its record on human rights and democracy.

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) along with more than 40 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from countries including the USA, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Belgium, the UK, India, Italy, Vietnam and Morocco, is calling for "concrete measures" from the UN organ to promote democracy at national, regional and international levels.

Therapy for abused
By Rebecca Torr
Published: 17 September 2001

FEMALE victims of abuse will be given advice and therapy to help re-build their self-esteem during a three-day workshop that begins at the Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence Cases on Budaiya Highway tonight.

The free course, under the patronage of the Supreme Council for Women, will be conducted by centre president Dr Banna Bu Zaboon and counsellor Kadra Ahmed, from 5pm to 7pm daily, until Tuesday.

The workshop, under

the title, Strengthening Women's Self-Esteem, will give participants information to help them recognise the warning signs of violence and protect themselves from abuse.

Bahrain

International Religious Freedom Report 2006
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

The constitution states that Islam is the official religion and also provides for freedom of religion; however, there were some limits on this freedom.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the reporting period. The Government continued to subject both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims to some governmental control and monitoring, and there continued to be government discrimination against Shi'a Muslims in certain fields. Members of other religious groups who practice their faith privately do so without interference from the Government.

BD100,000 for NGOs

Ministry invites welfare projects

About BD100,000 aid would be given to NGOs for their social development projects.
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Fatima Al Belushi, told the Press yesterday that the allocation would be made from the ministry’s special Social Security Fund.
The fund would select the best projects. The NGOs registered with the ministry should submit proposals to the ministry until October-end. The approved programmes would be announced in November.
Dr Al Belushi said the projects would be evaluated by social and financial experts in Bahrain and abroad. The grant could reach BD20,000.

Remittances by migrants 'more than global aid'
By AMIRA AL HUSSAINI in New York
Published: 15 September 2006

Remittances sent by migrants from developing countries to their families back home exceeds the total of all international aid combined, a key UN conference heard last night.

The first-ever plenary session of the UN General Assembly on migration issues brought to the forefront ways to maximise the development benefits of migration and reduce its difficulties globally.

The two-day High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development was addressed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and General Assembly president Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa.

Minimum wage 'is key to cut abuse'
Published: 15 September 2006

SETTING a minimum wage not only for housemaids, but also for other foreign workers, would prevent their exploitation by abusive employers, said a Pakistan Embassy official.

"The minimum wage is a bigger question not only confined to housemaids," said community welfare consular Habib Ur Rehman, who represented his embassy at the meeting held at the Labour Ministry with labour relations director Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa yesterday.

"Although Pakistan does not send its women to work as maids, I believe there should be a minimum wage for other workers because it will prevent the exploitation of workers by employers.

By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 15 September 2006

A PRISONER collapsed in court and another three reportedly required attention yesterday after staging a hunger strike apparently lasting two weeks.

The men are among 19 defendants who have been charged with staging an illegal demonstration, clashing with police and damaging public and private property at Al Dana Mall, Sanabis, in March.

All appeared in the High Criminal Court yesterday after being held in police custody for the last six months.

However, at the end of the hearing one collapsed and at least two others appeared to be almost unconscious - with supporters throwing water on their faces to keep them awake.

Filipina Rosario Pineda has a labour case that revolved into a civil case for the past three years since March 2003.
She filed the case against her employer, Rashid Mubarak Bu Turki, for five months of unpaid wages working as a seamstress in his Muharraq tailoring shop.
In return, her sponsor filed a case against her claiming that he loaned money amounting to BD560 prior to her departure from the Philippines. Her sponsor produced a signed promissory note by Rosario stating that reimbursement will be done through monthly salary deductions.
CID reports outwardly confirm that the signature didn’t match her signature or the signature specimen she was asked to provide at the station. Rosario continues to deny ever having received money from her sponsor, insisting that it was a forged promissory note.

By REBECCA TORR
Published: 14 September 2006

AN emergency helpline for children aged, six to 18, is to be launched in Bahrain at the beginning of November.

The toll-free helpline, which is the first of its kind in the country, aims to provide children and young people with someone to talk to if they are in distress, victims of abuse, or facing other problems.

Trained experts will then be able to offer advice concerning abuse, bullying, or about difficulties in the family.

The initiative comes from the Batelco Centre for Family Violence Victims, which opened in June last year, headed by Dr Banna Bu Zaboon.

أرجأت المحكمة الجنائية الكبرى، اليوم، برئاسة القاضي محمد آل خليفة محاكمة موقوفي الدانة إلى تاريخ 29 سبتمبر/أيلول، وذلك في جلسة، انتهت بصراخ وصيحات الأهالي و سقوط نحو اثنين من الموقوفين وفقدانهم الوعي، وذلك بسبب سوء حالتهم الصحية، و إضرابهم الذي دخل يومه الرابع عشر.

Help pours in for abandoned Indian boy in Bahrain

Dubai, Sep 12: A 10-year-old boy, longing to unite with his Indian father after being abandoned in Bahrain without any passport, has found support from many quarters including the Indian embassy in the Gulf nation.

Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty has taken initiative to help the boy, Raja, and has personally taken charge of the investigations into the matter, according to the Bahrain Tribune.

Raja's mother, a Sri Lankan citizen had abandoned him when he was just two. His father, Teni Prasad, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, supported Raja doing odd jobs.

Transnational Radical Party

DEMOCRACY CAUCUS MUST LEAD UN ACTION ON

HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

September 12, 2006. A coalition of over 40 human rights and democracy leaders from around the world are calling on the United Nations Democracy Caucus to take urgent action this fall to strengthen the world body’s record on democracy and human rights.

In a statement issued on September 11, the group urged UN member states participating in the Democracy Caucus to ensure the new Human Rights Council, at its second regular session on September 18, addresses the most serious human rights crises. “It is our strongly held view that the fate of the reforms to strengthen the UN’s human rights system depends on the UN Democracy Caucus Members organizing a coherent, systematic, and continuous effort to ensure the body seriously addresses human rights violations in an even-handed and pro-active way.” The statement’s signers call attention in particular to abuses underway in the Darfur region of Sudan, which they argue demands a special session of the Council, as well as in North Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 12 September 2006

INDIAN Embassy officials are still hoping that people in Bahrain and India will come forward with information about a comatose man at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). His Bahraini landlord and roommates have identified the patient - who was found unconscious by police near a Manama road on July 31 - as Indian carpenter Surjit Singh Bedi after the GDN published his photograph.

But Indian community leader and Surya Charitable and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary K R Nair told the GDN yesterday that more information was needed - including details of the patient's family in India, addresses, contact numbers and the name of the man's sponsor - so that the embassy could start processing documents to send him home.

Assault claim by housemaid
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 12 September 2006

A SRI Lankan housemaid claimed yesterday that two staff members at a local manpower agency had assaulted her because she refused to work in more than one home at a time.

Thirty-five-year-old Parleswary Arumugam, from Trincomalee, is now in the care of the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) after one of its volunteers spotted her crying on the road near the Sacred Heart Church in Manama on August 29.

Ms Arumugam, who speaks Tamil and broken English, told the GDN through an interpreter that when she came to Bahrain on July 27, she was sent to a "two-storey house" where she had to work from daybreak to midnight for two families.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 12 September 2006

A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD detained with 18 others on charges related to large-scale clashes between riot police and protesters in March was taken to hospital on Sunday as a result of an eight-day hunger strike, according to a human rights group.

Ahmed Jaffar Al Metghawi was reportedly taken to the BDF Hospital for treatment, according to the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

The detainees, who have been held in police custody for more than five months, are staging a hunger strike to protest against their prolonged detention and are asking to be released even if court proceedings continue, says the BCHR.

HAQ: Movement of Liberties and Democracy- Bahrain
11 September 2006
Press Release

BAHRAIN : Ratifying Ban of Publishing Names or Photosgraphs of Accused

The head of State has ratified Act no 65 of 2006 which bans publishing names or photos of the accused prior to the court ruling in the case without the permission of the Public Prosecutions (see media declaration below). The same penalty is applicable upon those who cooperate with foreign media by providing names or photographs of those accused. The act is amendment of Article 246 of the Penal Code promulgated by Decree Law No. 15 of 1976, which states, after amendments, that "it is punishable, with imprisonment of not more than a year or fine of not more than BD 100, who publishes, with any means (..), names or photographs of those accused, before the final verdict, and without permission from the Public Prosecution (PR) or the relevant court depending on the circumstances. It is also punishable with the same penalty who cooperated with foreign media by providing names and photographs of the those accused".

By Kanwal Tariq Hameed
Published: 11th September 2006

AMENDMENTS to the political rights law which bans people jailed for crimes from ever standing in council or parliamentary elections, was criticised by activists yesterday. They say the fact that it includes people jailed by state security courts during unrest in the 1990s will lead to increased distrust.

The amendments, passed by Parliament and the Shura Council in July, stipulate that people jailed for crimes will not be allowed to vote for five years after their release and will be banned for life from standing in council or parliamentary elections.

URGENT NEWS & APPEAL

Bahrain : Authorities Prevent Visit as Conditions of Detainees Continuing Hunger Strike Deteriorate

Reports from inside have been received on the increasing number of prisoners of the "Dry Dock", known as Dana Mall detainees, repeatedly collapsing and were transported to the hospital because of continuing hunger strike for the eighth consecutive day. Sources revealed that the detainees are in a deplorable condition and cases of fainting have been noted because of the lack of sugar. Also noted signs of extreme fatigue, inability to move, signs of mixing of urine with blood in some cases and mixture of vomit with blood in other cases, dehydration as result of the hunger strike.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10066271.html

09/09/2006 10:01 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief

Manama: US military has aggravated detention conditions following the alleged suicide of three inmates at the Guantanamo Bay prison, the lawyer of three Bahraini prisoners has said.

"During our recent trip to Guantanamo, Eisa Al Murbati said that since the deaths of three detainees in June, the military has been very harsh with the prisoners," Joshua Bryan-Colangelo said yesterday.

"He reported that Immediate Response Teams (IRTs), composed of five soldiers in riot gear, are called to subdue detainees for even the slightest perceived violation of the rules. He also said that the rules change often and without notice," according to the statement sent by the New-York based lawyer and relayed to Gulf News by rights activist Nabeel Rajab.

By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 10th September 2006

SEVERAL embassies in Bahrain have come out in support of plans to double the minimum wage of Filipina housemaids working in the Middle East. They are now monitoring developments and some, including the Indian Embassy, are drawing up their own measures to protect their citizens - such as requiring housemaids to report to the embassy on a regular basis.

The GDN revealed last week that talks are underway at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), a government agency responsible for the monitoring of Filipino workers overseas, to double their minimum wage from $200 (BD75) to $400 (BD151).

Right to return
By Kanwal TARIQ Hameed
Published: 10th September 2006

SIXTY-SIX descendants of a Bahraini man, who fled to Iraq in 1938 after a Sitra land dispute that ended in an alleged attempt on his life, are calling for their "right of return" to Bahrain. Al Haj Saleh bin Ahmad Al Satrawi was the target of an alleged assassination because he refused to give up a large chunk of his land, according to his family.

His 66 children and grandchildren now want to return and are currently living as refugees in Iraq, Kuwait and Europe, according to the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), which has taken up their case.

DUBAI: Two Indian workers, who escaped a fire accident in their labour camp in Bahrain that left 16 of their colleagues dead in July, have been sent back home with their company paying only part of their dues.

Velmurugan Kumaraswamy and Ravi Muthuswamy were each paid BD 60 (approx Rs 7,333) by the Royal Tower Construction company for their tickets up to Mumbai. They had to pay an extra BD 30 each (approx Rs 3,666) from their pocket to buy tickets up to their home in Chennai.

The Indian embassy got the workers released from the Riffa police station, where they were lodged after their company alleged that they had instigated their colleagues to strike work. However, the workers said the company was trying to deport them without paying their dues.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10066275.html

09/09/2006 11:52 PM | Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief

Manama: Prisoners at Guantanamo Bay are invariably telling psychologists that they were fine in order to avoid stricter detention conditions, Juma Al Dossary, Bahrain's most famous inmate at the US centre, has said.

Quoted by his lawyer Joshua Bryan-Colangelo, Al Dossary said that he and the other detainees were providing positive answers to weekly questions by psychologists about their mental condition.

"Al Dossary said that all detainees have learned to report that they are fine because otherwise they will be held under even stricter conditions," said Bryan-Colangelo who visited his client last month.

By IANS
Friday September 8, 01:36 PM
Dubai, Sep 8 (IANS) An Indian maid ran away from her sponsor's house in Bahrain after being repeatedly beaten and abused.

Indira Yenked Subbaiah, 35, claimed her ordeal started soon after she arrived in January to work for the family for a monthly salary of 40 Bahraini Dinars (BD), reported the Gulf Daily News.

'I was repeatedly beaten with a wooden broom handle and my head was banged against a wall,' Indira said.

The Indian maid also alleged that she was fed only dried bread and had not been paid for three months. However, the sponsor's two children aged five and nine, took pity on her and helped her with food.

By BEGENA GEORGE
Published: 7th September 2006

AN Indian housemaid has been rescued after fleeing the home of a couple she says beat her, half-starved her and refused to pay her. Indira Yenked Subbaiah, aged 35, was taken to the Indian Embassy yesterday, after being sheltered for a week by a Bangladeshi couple who found her weeping in the street.

Embassy officials will today meet police and the sponsor, who has reported her as a runaway. Ms Subbaiah came to Bahrain in January this year, to work for a Bahraini family in Isa Town, for a monthly salary of BD40.

She claims to have fled from the house to escape repeated beatings.

By SOMAN BABY
Published: 7th September 2006

A PHILIPPINE government proposal to double the current minimum wage for Filipina housemaids in the Gulf is not legally binding on Bahrain, a Labour Ministry official said yesterday. There is no minimum wage for foreign workers in Bahrain, said ministry international and public relations director Sabah Al Dossary.

"As such, a Philippine government proposal to double the minimum wage of housemaids to BD150 per month has no legal standing," he told the GDN.

Talks are underway at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), a government agency responsible for the monitoring of Filipino workers overseas, to increase the minimum wage from $200 (BD75) to $400 (BD151).

Check-up ordeal for Juma
By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 7th September 2006

A BAHRAINI detainee at Guantanamo Bay who has reportedly tried to kill himself 13 times, is receiving "questionable" psychiatric treatment, he told his lawyer. Juma Al Dossary slashed his own throat and leg with a razor in his latest suicide attempt on March 11.

He is now seen by a "psych-tech" (military mental health personnel) on a daily basis and two psychiatrists once a week.

They typically ask about his eating and sleeping habits and whether he thinks about hurting himself or others, Al Dossary told his New York-based lawyer, who visited the camp last month.

Jail hunger strike three in hospital
By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 6 September 2006

THREE men who are on trial and in custody for five months on charges related to clashes with riot police have reportedly been hospitalised after collapsing while taking part in a hunger strike.

The men are being treated at the BDF Hospital, according to the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

The news follows claims by their relatives that they have been subjected to physical and verbal abuse in custody after participating in a hunger strike last month to protest their continued detention.

By KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED
Published: 5 September 2006

HUMAN rights activists are calling for sweeping reform in the way that Bahrain naturalises foreigners, to ensure fairness and transparency.

Reforms should make the process more difficult to manipulate and more supportive of expatriates' and citizens' economic, social and political rights, says the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

It also wants public dialogue to "find a solution" to what it sees as problems with the process.

The appeal follows allegations that citizens were being naturalised for politically motivated reasons, linked to upcoming national elections.

http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/76777/
Counter-terrorism bill threatens freedom of expression, as government censors Internet

Country/Topic: Bahrain
Date: 04 September 2006
Source: Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR)
Person(s):
Target(s):
Type(s) of violation(s):
Urgency: Bulletin
(EOHR/IFEX) - The following is a 30 August 2006 EOHR capsule report:

Bahrain's Counter-Terrorism Bill contributes towards a tighter grip on civil and political rights

Since his accession to the throne in 1999, Bahrain's King Hamad bin 'Issa Al Khalifa has vowed to bring about reforms and freedoms to the Persian Gulf island-state; reforms that were celebrated by some, while others questioned the intentions behind them. Critics of the ruling family accused Al Khalifa of drafting and passing laws aimed at restricting civil and political rights in Bahrain and maintaining a grip on Bahrainis' basic rights.

By geoffrey bew
Published: 4 September 2006

A TOTAL of 49 companies in Bahrain have been blacklisted by the Indian Embassy for allegedly cheating their workers, it was revealed yesterday.

Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty said the list included firms who kept workers in cramped living quarters or unhygienic conditions, failed to pay their salaries on time, physically abused them or had not provided safety measures at worksites.

The action means the embassy will pass the rogue companies' names to labour authorities in India so potential recruits can be forewarned before they travel to Bahrain.

4,971 Asians 'given Bahrain nationality in 56 years'
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10064855.html

09/03/2006 11:21 PM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief

Manama: Less than 5,000 Asians were granted Bahraini citizenship in the past 56 years, said the Interior Minister.

"The figure of 4,971 represents about 1.5 per cent of the total Indian and Pakistani population living in the kingdom which is estimated to be 350,000," Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said.

The minister was responding to allegations that surfaced last week, claiming that about 10,000 Asians were being granted Bahraini citizenship by the government for political reasons.

BANGKOK, Sept 3 (TNA) - Thailand and Bahrain are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on sending Thai workers to work in that Arabian Gulf country, Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said Saturday.

Mr. Somsak said he had discussed opening job opportunities for Thai workers with his Bahraini counterpart while attending the 14th Asia-Pacific International Labour conference held in Busan, South
Korea, last week and that the latter had expressed that Bahrain needed a significant number of Thai labourers, especially engineers and cooks.

But Mr. Somsak said Thailand wanted to send skilled labourers in order to cover high costs and that it also wanted to avoid competition with several countries which were also eyeing to send workers to that

By Soman Baby
Published: 3rd September 2006

A 43-year-old Indian worker, who had not visited home for 13 years, is in a critical condition at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

Moidu Hassan, a barber by profession, who is suffering from complications of tuberculosis, will undergo life-saving surgery at SMC today.

Surya Charitable and Cultural Association jointly with Trichur Mahal Association deposited BD150 at the SMC yesterday towards the cost of the surgery.

Mr Hassan's plight came to light when Surya volunteers spotted him at SMC during their weekly hospital visit.

A five-member committee from Surya, which includes community workers K R Nair, Manoj Mayyanur, K T Salim, Nasser Manjeri and Satish Mudalayil, had earlier identified and helped several such patients who require emergency assistance.

By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 3rd September 2006

A HOUSEMAID allegedly brutally assaulted by her Bahraini sponsor and his family will be discharged from the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) today. Thirty-year old Lateefa Beewi Maheen, from Trivandrum, India, will then be released into the charge of the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS).

Her manpower agency in Bahrain also pledged to give her due two months' wages and a ticket home.

Ms Maheen suffered severe internal injuries, which caused her to vomit blood several times a day when she was first admitted to the hospital on August 30.

By Kanwal TARIQ Hameed
Published: 3rd September 2006

A BAHRAINI detainee has been locked up in a freezing cold cell at the Guantanamo Bay mental health unit with only a blanket, mattress and Quran following the deaths of three inmates on June 10, he told his lawyer. He claimed this was a result of increased repression by guards at the military base, in Cuba.

Since last month, Juma Al Dossary, aged 32, has been allowed a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap in his cell.

However, he continues to be held in largely isolated conditions and is only allowed to have letters from relatives or lawyers for two hours a day.

Letter to BCHR from Guantanamo prisoner Juma Aldosari,thanking for the effort made by BCHR to close the detention center

Thanks Letter to BCHR from Guantanamo prisoner Juma AlDosari.

In letter to BCHR ,Poem from Guantanamo prisoner Juma Aldusari describing their condition

Letter from Guantanamo prisoner Juma Aldusari to BCHR .

Y. Mallikarjun
Bahrain firm pays Rs. 1 lakh for children's education

Chief Minister has again assured help
Nothing known about Central package

HYDERABAD: Four months after the brutal slaying of Kasula Suryanarayana by the Taliban in Afghanistan, his widow K. Manjula has neither received the `special package' promised by the Centre nor the assistance announced by the State Government.

The Bahrain-based company, for which Suryanarayana had worked, paid Rs. 1 lakh for the schooling of her two daughters and promised to arrange for compensation shortly.

No financial support

Bahrain treatment maid dies in Philippines
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 2nd September 2006

A BEIRUT-BASED Filipina housemaid, who received a month-long treatment at the Psychiatric Hospital after collapsing at the Bahrain International Airport, has died in the Philippines.

But more than two weeks since passing away on August 15 in a hospital in Makati City, there are still conflicting reports in the Philippines about Shirley Balajadia's death. Several television and newspaper reports say that Ms Balajadia, aged 30, died as a result of the air and artillery strikes by Israel in Lebanon.

Sponsor strikes back

But maid’s agency denies threat
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Contributor

There seems to be more than what meets the eye in the case of Latheefa Beevi Maheen. Her sponsors have raised questions about the modus operandi of Al Fahad Services and Power.
The sponsor told the Tribune, “The consultancy is cheating many families in the Kingdom. We hired Latheefa and after one and half month she expressed her determination to go home. I took her to the recruitment office on Tuesday night and completed all the formalities. The next thing I know is that the agency had admitted her to the Salmaniya Medical Complex and that she was in a critical condition.”

Demonstration held
By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 2nd September 2006

ABOUT 50 Bahrainis demonstrated against naturalisation, corruption, sectarianism and other issues in Karzakkan village yesterday.

Demonstrators also carried photographs of detainees who are being held for illegal demonstrations at the airport and Sanabis.

Unemployed demonstrators urged the government to provide them with jobs asking why jobs were so easily available to expatriates but not to Bahrainis.

They also raised slogans against the naturalisation policy.

The event was organised by Karzakkan natives and attended by people from the village and from other areas around Bahrain.

By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 2nd September 2006

AROUND 50 people received free medical check-ups at the Bangladesh Embassy yesterday in a bid to reduce the high death rate of Bangladeshi nationals in Bahrain.

The embassy estimates that three Bangladeshis die here every month, often depriving their families back home of their only breadwinners.

But most deaths are preventable, says first secretary (political) and consular Masadur Rahman.

"One of the main reasons so many die is because their salaries are so low that they cannot afford to seek medical treatment," he said. "Many companies do not offer any medical insurance and they go on suffering from serious illnesses without knowing how life-threatening they are."

By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 2nd September 2006

FIVE Bahraini human rights organisations have joined a regional petition calling for the freezing of Israel's membership in the United Nations. They include the now-dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Al Tajdeed Cultural Society, Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, the Women's Petition Committee on Sharia Courts and a group of committees on housing, naturalisation and employment rights.

A total of 51 Arab non-governmental organisations have joined forces to send the petition to officials at the UN.

"The war launched by Israel against Lebanon is but a new addition to its long heritage of violation of international law, supported by an international silence and obvious complicity that constitute a betrayal to all human rights principles," the groups said in a joint statement.

Lawyers wary of Bay Three release
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 1st September 2006

LAWYERS for three Bahraini detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay are sceptical that they could be among 120 prisoners set for release by the US government. The US Department of Defence has announced that six captives had already been transferred out of the facility, in Cuba, as a result of the Administrative Review Board (ARB) process.

This included one sent to Germany and five others to Afghanistan.

In a statement, it said another 120 detainees were eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes, which include discussions between the US and other nations.

Hospital rescues maid after threats
By MANDEEP SINGH
Published: 1st September 2006

HOSPITAL staff intervened to prevent an injured housemaid being forcibly discharged yesterday after she was allegedly beaten so badly by her sponsor that she was vomiting blood. Lateefa Beewi Maheen, from Trivandrum, India, was said to be in critical, but stable condition at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

The 30-year-old claims she has been abused by her Bahraini employers since first arriving in the country less than two months ago.

She says she collapsed at her sponsor's home on Wednesday as a result of repeated beatings.

Abuse claim runaway woman jailed
By By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 1st September 2006

A HOUSEMAID who accused her Bahraini sponsor of abusing her has been jailed for running away. She fled his house, in Qalali, Muharraq, and then reported him to the police three months later.

However, the 20-year-old Indonesian woman has been convicted of absconding from her place of work and not renewing her residence permit.

She was sentenced to 10 days in prison, followed by deportation by the Lower Criminal Court.

The woman was convicted despite claiming that her employer treated her like "an animal", did not feed her properly and when he did he actually threw food at her.

Violence against women unabated
Published: 1st September 2006
Violence against women is a global issue, but in Bahrain it continues unabated because of society's failure to confront it, say campaigners who are determined to break the silence. KANWAL TARIQ HAMEED reports.

ONE in every three women is a victim of some form of abuse, according to global statistics. Most of these women will have suffered at the hands of members of their family or people known to them, say experts.

A group of lawyers, doctors, education workers and activists is now hoping to break the silence on abuse rates in Bahrain, which they believe is an important start for serious efforts to tackle the problem.